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The sudden retirement of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops will have long-lasting fallout in the college football world and, for coaches that are on the older end of the spectrum, the news could easily hit home in a very personal manner. To that end, Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who is now 65 years old, springs to mind for many in the industry and, immediately following Stoops’ announcement, he offered support via an official statement. (h/t Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports)

“Bob is a great friend and one of the best coaches in the country during his time at Oklahoma. I have had the pleasure of knowing him and his family for over 40 years. I have always had so much respect for Bob because of his professionalism and his integrity.”

Since then, however, Saban was specifically prompted on the subject of retirement and he gave a very revealing answer.

Nick Saban said he wants to coach as long as he feels good. "I've been a part of a team since I was 9. The thought of not being scares me."

Saban’s line of thinking here is likely not a unique one, as many in the coaching profession are “lifers” that can’t imagine doing anything else. It might be quite scary to consider life after football after the sport seems all-consuming for decades and the teamwork and dedication involved can also be intoxicating in the best possible way.

It should be noted that Saban’s thoughts lead down a path that would suggest he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon but it is a nice window into the thinking of the biggest name in the sport.